E-Rubicin

by Pharmedic

Active ingredient: Epirubicin

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About Epirubicin

Cytostatic

Uses

Adjuvant therapy for primary breast cancer.

How to take it

Adults: IV: 100-120 mg/m² once weekly every 3-4 wk or 50-60 mg/m² days 1 and 8 every 3-4 wk Breast cancer: CEF-120: 60 mg/m² on days 1 and 8 for 8 cycles. FEC-100: 100 mg/m² on day 1 every 21 days 6 cycles. Epirubicin should be administered into the tubing of a freely flowing IV infusion (0.9% NaCl or 5% glucose solution). The infusion time ranges between 3-20 min, depending on dosage and volume of the infusion solution. Avoid direct push injection. Flush well with a heparin-free solution before and after epirubicin administration. Compatibility: Stable in D5W, LR, NS; Incompatible with any solution of alkaline pH incompatible with heparin, fluorouracil. Stability: Store vials of injection…

Side effects

Myelosuppression, cardiotoxicity, alopecia (reversible), GI disturbances, hyperpyrexia, fever, chills, urticaria, secondary acute myelogenous leukaemia, infection, blood dyscrasias, anorexia, dehydration, CHF, hot flush, GI upset, mucosal inflammation, skin and inf site reactions, red urine, amenorrhoea, malaise, abnormal transaminases, decreased LVEF, chemical cystitis after intravesical admin.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Pregnancy: Positive evidence of risk: Use only when no safer alternative exists for a serious problem. Lactation: Contraindicated or not recommended. Contraindications: Intravesical use: UTI, bladder inflammation, haematuria, invasive tumours penetrating the bladder, catheterisation problems, large volume of residual urine, contracted bladder. IV use: persistent myelosuppression, severe hepatic impairment, severe myocardial insufficiency, recent MI, severe arrhythmias, previous treatment with max cumulative doses of epirubicin and/or other anthracyclines and anthraquinones, acute systemic infection, unstable angina, cardiomyopathy. Precautions: Monitor blood counts, renal and hepatic…

Advice

This medication is administered by infusion. Inform prescriber immediately if there is burning/swelling/redness/irritation/pain at infusion site. Contact prescriber if there is difficulty in breathing, chest pain, palpitations, fast heartbeat, swelling of extremities, unusual cough, unrelieved nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, chills, change in urinary pattern, unusual bruising or bleeding, fatigue, skin rash, abdominal pain, unhealed mouth sores, purulent vaginal discharge, blood in stool or urine. Take sufficient amount of fluids (2-3 litres per day) to maintain hydration, unless restricted by the prescriber. Take small, frequent meals to maintain good nutritional status. Avoid highly…

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Interactions with Epirubicin

Interferon alfa-2b, dexrazoxane, calcium channel blockers, other cardiotoxic or myelosuppressive agents, live vaccines, cimetidine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, other cytotoxics, quinine.

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Compiled by Healify Pharmacy from published drug references. How we compile it →

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